Lakeside Calendar of Events

Jay White "America's Diamond"

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, Jay White will bring his tribute to Neil Diamond to Lakeside to close Hoover Auditorium’s summer entertainment series. This concert will be a part of his "Sweet Caroline" tour.

White’s introduction to the music scene began in Detroit with a doo-wop group, a Top 40 band and two musical theater companies in the 1980s. Little did he realize his appreciation for the music of Neil Diamond would turn into a lifelong journey.

In 1982, White landed his first job performing as Diamond in a club near Detroit. It was here that he studied and worked to capture the essence and charismatic stage presence of this American icon.

Within six months, he had quit his day job in the insurance business and embarked on one of life’s most unstable, yet most exciting careers. With the support of his family, White turned his talent into five solid years of steady work before receiving an offer to perform in Las Vegas.

It was in 1989 that producer John Stuart had heard of White’s talent through a mutual friend and asked him to audition. The result was landing his first performance with Stuart’s “Legends on Concert” series.

After the show’s ending, Stuart asked White to join “Legends” at the Imperial Palace as the first ‘living’ legend in the Las Vegas production (the show originally portrayed performers of the past). He held this spot for nine years.

Since then, White has performed across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Eventually, White’s desire to stretch and challenge his stage performance led him to hiring an agent who believed in his talent and his new band. Together, they developed a 90-minute headliner show.

“The performance is more than the look and the sound alone,” said White. “From facial expressions and body language to audience participation, it all needs to come together to form an exhilarating, emotional performance.”

White has garnered such honors as performing for President Ronald and Nancy Regan, singing the National Anthem at dozens of professional sporting events and appearing on a bill with Bob Hope for the American Legion.

In 1996, White met Diamond backstage before his MGM appearance, where he asked Diamond for an autograph. Diamond replied, "Is this me or you?" and signed.

In a 2002 interview, Diamond was asked about all of his tribute performers, and replied "I've heard a few of them, and I'm always complimented by their efforts and dedication, but my favorite is a young man named Jay White.

After the concert, celebrate the end of another exciting summer season with a fireworks show along the lakefront. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

Admission & Parking
Purchasing a Reduced Rate, Daily, Saturday or Season Chautauqua Pass includes admission to Lakeside Chautauqua and all shows in Hoover Auditorium, plus additional benefits. A separate ‘ticket’ is not necessary to attend a show or concert. As always, kids age 12 & under and guests over age 90 are always free. Parking is an additional fee. A Daily or Saturday Chautauqua Pass is valid from the time it is purchased until 7 p.m. the following day. Chautauqua Passes and Auto Passes may be purchased online at tickets.lakesideohio.com or upon entering the gates of Lakeside. Please allow two weeks for online processing.

The doors to Hoover Auditorium open a half-hour prior to the start of the show or concert. Seats are not reserved, but available on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and beverages are prohibited inside Hoover Auditorium. Please present your Chautauqua Pass upon entering and exiting Hoover Auditorium and the Lakeside Chautauqua gates.